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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.